Camber Sands Holiday Camp, near Rye, East Sussex, Friday December 3 until Sunday December 5

Someone said it's probably going to be just like The Shining, but we're hoping it doesn't quite turn into that," says organiser Barry Hogan of this December's All Tomorrow's Parties (ATP) festival.

He has good reason to worry. 'Curated' by Britart enfants horribles the Chapman Brothers (pictured), famous for their depiction of Hell as a giant swastika filled with thousands of plastic figures straight out of Auschwitz, and set in a deserted holiday camp at Camber Sands, this winter's ATP festival is aptly subtitled The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Barry set up ATP in 1999 with fellow concert promoter Helen Cottage. Bored with megabucks corporate festivals, they came up with the idea of a unique event.

People buy tickets for the full three days and, instead of having to camp, they can stay in the Pontin's chalets. Each year, the line-up is chosen by a different figure or group from music or the arts.

"It's kind of like making a mix tape," says Barry. "Every year we invite a curator to choose the bands they'd like to see on stage. Hopefully it opens people up to new things. Some of the bands you will have heard of, but others won't be so familiar."

The event usually takes place in April, so this winter happening is something of a bonus date. Featuring the likes of Aphex Twin, Mercury Rev, And You Will Know us By The Trail of Dead, Peaches and legendary industrial group Throbbing Gristle, it's definitely no less of a kick-ass festival than its Spring-based big sister.

This time, the Chapmans' influence and black humour is clearly felt in the choice of bands. "I thought they would add a new approach to it," says Barry. "It gets a bit stagnant if it's musicians picking the bands every time.

"I'm good friends with Jake (Chapman), and having been round his house, checking through his tapes, I thought he would make a good curator.

"Their choice is quite dark, cult and abrasive but they also wanted to incorporate comical values into the event by inviting people like Gareth Gates and Rick Waller.

"They seriously wanted Gareth, with someone doing sign language on a screen behind him while he performed. We did ask him but we were, shall we say, frowned upon."

If the idea of Gareth Gates on stage next to Throbbing Gristle isn't weird enough, the setting completes ATP's leftfield appeal. "Camber Sands is a bit surreal" says Barry.

"It's designed for families to take their bratty kids away in the summer holidays, so it is a strange place in the winter - it's quite ironic to have something like this there."

Watch out Camber Sands, heeeeeeeeere's Johnny.

Tickets cost £120 (includes accommodation). See www.atpfestival.com for info and to book tickets